[Value of harmful elements in fruit and vegetables grown in the province of Siedlce]

The content of iron, manganese, nickel, lead, copper, zinc and cadmium was determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry (ASA) in vegetables and fruit grown in the Province of Siedlce. The studied fruits included tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbages, carrots, parsley, celery, red beets, potatoes garden strawberries, black and red currants, raspberries, apples, plums and cherries. The total number of studied samples of fruits and vegetables was 229. In 49 studied samples cadmium exceeded 0.03 mg/kg and in 4 samples lead was above 0.3 mg/kg. In most studied samples of green parts of parsley and celery (80%) zinc was above 10 mg/kg of fresh mass, that is the level permitted in our country for products containing below 20% of dry mass.